University of Memphis Athletics
University of Memphis
Ole Miss Open
Rifle Posts Two Top-Five Finishes Last Weekend
Oct 06, 2014 | Rifle
Elizabeth Lee posted the Tigers' top aggregate score in the Oct. 3 Ole Miss Open and the squad's second-highest score in the Oct. 5 Tiger Open.
MEMPHIS, Tenn., and OXFORD, Miss. – The No. 11-ranked University of Memphis rifle squad opened its 2014-15 campaign this past weekend with two top-five performances in the Ole Miss Open and Tiger Open. The Tigers finished fifth in the Ole Miss Open and placed second in the Tiger Open.
“Our first weekend of competition went pretty well,” said 22nd-year head coach Butch Woolbright. “Our scores at Ole Miss were not what I anticipated, but the scores we shot here in the Tiger Open were what I expected. We bounced back in a positive way.
“Coming into this season, we had some big shoes to fill with the graduation of six-time All-America Dan Hermsmeier. But, our upperclassmen and newcomers have done well to fill that void. I'm very pleased with what I've seen.”
Memphis opened its season Oct. 3 at the Ole Miss Open with a fifth-place performance and an aggregate score of 4620 (smallbore and air rifle). Jacksonville State, ranked No. 8 in the nation, won the competition with a score of 4676.
The Tigers were fifth in smallbore with a score of 2282 and third in air rifle with a score of 2338. Murray State, ranked No. 10 in the country, won smallbore with a score of 2313, while Jacksonville State placed first in air rifle with a score of 2367.
Individually, senior Max Burkhardt led Memphis in smallbore with a score of 577. The Denver, Colo., native placed ninth overall in smallbore. Sophomore Amy Fister posted the Tigers' second-best smallbore score with a 574, despite fighting through an early-season back injury.
In air rifle, junior Elizabeth Lee, who also is battling injury, led Memphis and tied for fourth overall with a score of 589. In her collegiate debut, freshman Haylea Broughton posted the Tigers' second-highest air rifle score with a 587. She tied for 10th overall.
In its own Tiger Open Oct. 5, Memphis finished second with an aggregate score of 4661. The score was the program's best in Tiger Open history. The Tigers were second in both smallbore (2310) and air rifle (2351). Jacksonville State placed first overall (4675) and in both disciplines (2313 smallbore/2362 air rifle).
Burkhardt posted personal-bests and top-five finishes in both smallbore and air rifle at the Tiger Open. The senior won the smallbore with a personal-best 584, and followed that performance, with a fourth-place finish in air rifle with a personal-best 592.
Lee and freshman Makennon Doran both posted top-10 finishes in air rifle. Lee was seventh with a score of 590, while Doran was eighth with a score of 587. In smallbore, Fister placed fifth with a score of 580.
“I'm absolutely ecstatic about Max's performance in the Tiger Open Sunday, and the rest of the team shot well too,” said Woolbright. “Amy and Elizabeth both fought through injuries and competed well, and the freshmen performed the way I thought they would in their first weekend of collegiate competition.
“We are headed in the right direction, and this past weekend are two performances we can build on.”
The Tigers return to action Oct. 12-13 when they travel to the East Coast to compete against Navy and Army. Memphis faces Navy in Annapolis, Md., Oct. 12, before meeting Army in West Point, N.Y., Oct. 13.
The following are team results and Memphis individual results from both the Ole Miss Open and Tiger Open:
Ole Miss Open/Oct. 3 Tiger Open/Oct. 5 Team Results Team Results 1. Jacksonville State 4676 1. Jacksonville State 4675 2. Murray State 4662 2. Memphis 4661 3. Ohio State 4643 3. UT Martin 4608 4. UT Martin 4624 4. Ole Miss 4567 5. Memphis 4620 5. Columbus State 4525 6. Ole Miss 4603 6. UT Martin (women) 4433 7. Columbus State 4550 7. UAB (air rifle only) 2243 8. UT Martin (women) 4519 9. UAB (air rifle only) 2256
Memphis Individuals/Ole Miss Open
(Smallbore-Air Rifle=Aggregate)
Lee 567-589=1165
Burkhardt 577-586=1163
Broughton 564-587=1151
Fister 574-576=1150
Doran 556-576=1132
Memphis Individuals/Tiger Open
(Smallbore-Air Rifle=Aggregate)
Burkhardt 584-592=1176
Lee 570-590=1163
Fister 580-582=1162
Doran 571-587=1158
Broughton 573-580=1153
Players Mentioned
